A Postage stamp that created history and helped completion of the Panama Canal

 

People may think about postage stamps as documenting history, as artwork, or as commemorative objects lauding important events. However, postage stamps also have the ability to create or change history. One such Nicaraguan stamp created both American and world history by playing a role in the completion of the Panama Canal.                                         

10 Centavos stamp of Nicaragua that created history 

On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened when the S.S. Ancon steamed through from the canal's Atlantic to Pacific side. The canal, 82 km long waterway was an engineering marvel at that time, and the result of thirty years of toil. The Panama Canal, completed in 1914 by the United States after construction by the French, was an important innovation in sea travel in the early 20th century because it created an easy connection for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal saved time in a journey that would otherwise have taken a ship from the East Coast around Cape Horn, at the southern tip of the Americas to the west coast. This journey would have been about 14,000 miles or around five months. While a canal built in Central America would reduce travel time. It was not always inevitable that this canal was going to be built in Panama.

                                        

The various routes proposed for a possible link

In the early 1900s, American politicians wanted to build a canal to bridge the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but were divided on where to build it, in Panama or in Nicaragua. Many members of Congress originally viewed Nicaragua as a safer choice when planning where to construct the canal The first attempt by the French to construct a navigable canal between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean was stopped by landslides, an outbreak of malaria and yellow fever causing the death of almost 22,000 workers and a financial loss of almost 187 million dollars.

When the US Canal Commission took up the project they initially proposed an alternative, much longer route, that passed through Nicaragua. Phillippe Bunau-Varilla, an engineer who'd also been involved in the French project, was convinced that the terrain of Nicaragua was even more  hostile for the construction of a canal, and set out to lobby the US Congress in favour of the Panama route.                                           

This 5 Cent stamp from the Panama Canal Zone, depicts where-about the canal wound up being built

From a stamp dealer in Washington, he purchased 500 Nicaraguan stamps depicting the smoking Mount Momotombo, located near Lake Nicaragua  where the proposed Nicaragua Canal would pass. He sent a letter prominently featuring the stamp and a note reading ''An official witness to volcanic activity in Nicaragua'' to every US Senator and member of the House of Representatives.

                                           

This stamp is an example of one of the 1900 Nicaraguan stamps sent by Buanu-Varilla to members of the Congress. The reference to industry in the foreground and the smoking Mt Momotombo in the background, 10 Centavos postage stamp                                           

Bunau-Varilla message was simple. if active volcanoes are so common in Nicaragua that they feature so prominently on stamps, this was not the right country to build a canal. When voting took place the next day, the majority of politicians voted for the Panama route, and in 1904 construction work on the canal resumed. The Canal was completed on 15 August 1914. 

                                       

Spanish labourers in the Canal, 1914 (Library of Congress)
   

Just one year later, Nicaragua's Mount Momotombo erupted. 

Postage stamp that changed history

Karauli State (1348-1949) and Coins

 

Karauli State was a princely state in India from 1348 to 1949. It is located in the Braj region. Karauli  city was the capital while Mandrayal or Mandrail was another important town. The Maharaja of Karauli is considered as the head of the Jadon clan of Rajputs and claim to be descendants of Krishna. The Jadons once ruled the kingdom of Braj which included Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli and Dholpur.

                                      

One Rupee, Harbaksh Pal (Muhammad Akbar II), 1808-1838.

The state had an area of 3,178 square km. In 1901, the population was 156,786 and that of the town was 23,482.   

                                       

Karauli State in the Imperial Gazetteer of India
                                 

In 1196, Kunwar Pal lost all of his territories to the invading Ghurids. One of the scions called Arjun Pal was able to recover some of his ancestral lands and founded the town of Karauli. The Jadons remained independent for a century, until their lands were once again captured by Mahmud I of Malwa. They gained patronage under Emperor Akbar, and Gopaldas was made the Maharaja. He also played an important role in the foundation of Agra Fort on orders from the Mughal emperor.

Flag

                                      

Coat of Arms

                                       

Karauli concluded the treaty with the British in November 1817. The Maharaja, Harbaksh Pal Deo, had accepted a ''protectorate'' treaty through his agent at Delhi. In 1857, at a time of the ''First war of Independence'', Madan Pal lent a support to the English. For his loyalty, Madan Pal was made Grand Commander of the Order of Star of India. The salute of honour, to which the Chiefs of Karauli were entitled, was also enhanced from 15 to 17.

                                           

H.H. Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo of Karauli (1947-1984)

                                       

Karauli City Palace, built in 1635
 

                                           

Bhanwar Vilas Palace, built in 1938 by Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo 

After India's independence in 1947, the state under Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo acceded to India in April 1949, and became part of the state of Rajasthan. 

  

Coins of Karauli State

                                          

1/2 Paisa, Victoria, 1886, copper, weight 9.6 gm

                                             

Takka, Muhammad Akbar II, 1815-1834, copper, weight 17.8 gm

                                              

Takka, Arjan Pal, 1881-1886,copper, weight 17.7 gm

                                              

One Rupee, Muhammad Akbar II (Harbaksh Pal), 1223-1254 AH (1808-1838 AD), silver weight 11 gm, reverse has regnal year 24

                                              

One Rupee, Queen Victoria, 1852, silver, weight 11 gm, Regnal year 13

                                               

One Rupee, Queen Victoria, 1859, silver, weight 11 gm

                                               

One Rupee, Queen Victoria (Bhanwar Pal), 1882-1897, silver weight 11 gm, Obverse: Inscription ''The exalted Queen, Emperor of India, AD Date and mark of Bhanwar Pal, Reverse: Regnal year

Karauli Princely State

Coins of Karauli State
 

The Penny Red Stamps

 

The Penny Red stamps, first printed in 1841, with is distinct brownish-red colour earned notoriety when replacing the Penny Black, just nine months after it had been issued. These remained the main type of postage payment in the UK for almost 40 years. Around 21 billion Penny Reds were produced by Perkins, Bacon $ Co until the stamp usage came to an end in 1879.

                                        

                           1841 Penny Red

Three distinct types of Penny Reds were issued.

The Penny Red Imperforates. Produced from 1841 until 1854, initially using just 7 out of 11printing plates used to produce the Penny Blacks, a further 164 plates were used. It had to be cut from a stamp sheet using scissors. As they started using the existing printing plates, these stamps were effectively Penny Blacks but printed in a new red ink. Plates 132 to 175 can be distinguished by specialists as they have an altered type of alphabet (Alphabet II) in the lower corners.

                                       

1841 Penny Red, Plate 12 (SJ) State 2, Cat value 300 UK Pounds 

       

The perforated Penny Red Stars (1850-1864). Experiments started to see if the sheets of stamps could be perforated to speed up the Post Office clerks and to stop the need to use scissors to separate the stamps. Collectors refer to these as ''Archer'' perfs. From 1850, a 16 gauge perforation version started. 

                                       

1850 Penny Red ''Archer'' plate 100 unused , no gum SG 16b Perf 16 Small Crown. Catalogue value 3500 UK Pounds.  

  

The perforated Penny Red Plates. In 1858, work started on a redesigned Penny Red. Various design changes were made including the use of letters instead of of stars in the upper corner. Small plate numbers were also to be hidden between interlocking lines at each side. To prevent the sheets from easily coming apart, 14 perforations were used instead of 16. Each stamp sheet was made up of 20 rows of 12 stamps (240 in total). This sheet configuration remained till 1971, when sheets were reduced to 200.

The sheet number this can be read vertically  between the top and bottom markings on the stamp

                                     

148 is marked between B and H vertically on the stamp. Illustrated above enlarged 

 

The first Penny Reds on sale on 10 February 1841 were printed from Penny Black plates. ''Matching pair'' of Penny Blacks and Penny Reds, issued from the same plate with the same corner letters are much sought after by collectors.

Plate 77 Penny Red. The rarest plate to be used is number 77, from which only one sheet of stamps was printed. Plate 77 dates from 1863, was rejected due to poor alignment which means that some stamps were mis perforated in production. A few examples have been unearthed by collectors. The recent example to be sold from this plate fetched 495,000 UK Pounds in March 2016, making it UK's second most valuable stamp. There are about 10-12 stamps believed to exist. For stamp collectors, Plate 77 Penny Reds are a holy grail of philately, as they were not meant to exist.

                                       

Plate 77 genuine stamp authenticated in 1944.
    

Though all Penny Reds may not be very valuable, those of plate 77 being unearthed from 1920 are now being discovered with collectors, that were so far unnoticed. Plate 77 IM, Plate 77 PH, Plate 77 LL, Plate 77 AC, Plate 77 MI, Plate 77 AB, Plate 77 PI, Plate 77 AA and Plate 77 BA have been traced out with private collectors, at auctions and at the British Museum.

Often referred to as the poor mans Penny Black, it is still highly sought after by both young and experienced collectors. The lure of finding a rare plate 77 Penny Red will continue to ensure the next generation of collectors inspired for years to come   

Penny Red Stamps

Every Philatelist's dream, The Penny Black

 

The Penny Black is known for being the world's first stamp. It is the most famous of all stamps, and one that every collector aspires to own. Famed for its fine engraving and timeless simplicity, this stamp has an intriguing philatelic history.

In the 1830's British postal rates were high and the charges were complex. Usually, the recipient paid for postage upon delivery, with the charge determined by weight and distance travelled. To make matters easier for the Post Office and public, in 1837, Sir Rowland Hill, a former schoolmaster,  proposed using an adhesive stamp to indicate postage had been pre-paid. On 1st of  May 1840 the Penny Black was first issued in Great Britain, even though it was not valid for use until 6th May 1840.

                                     

  

Featuring a profile of Queen Victoria, the Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp to be used in a public postal system. It was inscribed in capital letters with the word 'POSTAGE'' at the top and ÓNE PENNY'' at the bottom and its background was made up of finely-engraved engine turnings. Its upper left and right corners featured two star-like designs, with the lower left and right corners containing letters, which helped to designate the position of the stamp in relation to the sheet on which it was printed. It was printed in sheets of 240 by Perkins Bacon. The image was based on a sketch of the Queen when she was aged 15. However, it remained on stamps for the entirety of her reign, which was almost 64 years.

A total of 286,700 sheets containing 68,808,000 stamps were made available. Probably about 1.8 to 2% still exist. Blocks and strips of Penny Black are scarce. The British Postal Museum, in London is the only known owner of complete sheets. Each sheet contained 240 letter combinations, starting with AA at the top left and going down to TL at the bottom right.

                                          

Such was the demand of the Penny Black that the printing plates soon showed signs of wear and needed repairing or replacing. In total 12 different plates were used to keep up with demand, including two versions of the first plate (1a and 1b)

                                        

The most desirable Penny Black for a collector would be one posted on 6th May 1840, however all with May 1840 dates are rare too. The rarest Penny Blacks also came from plate 11 from which only 168,000 stamps were produced. The plate was originally created to print the Penny Reds which were set to replace the Penny Black. However, when the red ink was not ready, they continued to use black ink for a 700 sheet run.

Although, an unused Penny Black in ''mint'' condition or ''very fine'' condition is extremely expensive, those struck with the Maltese Cross in shades of ruby, brown, magenta, orange and blue are highly desirable by collectors. Because these stamps were not perforated, they were separated using scissors or a knife. Irregular margins were not uncommon and collectors pay higher prices for an exceptional example with four regular, wide and even margins.

                                      

Maltese Cross in various shades struck on Penny Blacks

During April 1840 a supply of Penny Blacks was printed with the check letters VR in the upper corners instead of the usual stars. These were to be issued to governmental offices. The scheme was however abandoned and most of these sheets destroyed. A few sheets that survived are now very rare. In 2015 a block of 4 was sold for 31,860 UK Pounds, and a VR 4 margined single realised 5,782 UK Pounds. The first Penny Black is expected to fetch up to 8 million UK Pounds at an auction now. Only three Penny Blacks are believed to have survived from the very first sheet of printed stamps. The other two are part of the collection at the British Postal Museum.

                                       

VR check letters on Penny Blacks, block of four

Even though these stamps were superseded in 1841 by the Red Penny, stamp collectors still retain their love for the Black Penny and these are in extremely high demand more than 180 years after it was first issued.

                                          

                     Red Penny

Penny Black

Akbar's Ram-Siya Coins

 

Beautiful, unique and extremely rare coins called the ''Ram-Siya'' coins, honouring the Hindu Gods, were issued by Mughal Emperor Akbar, in 1604-5 AD, despite the fact that worshipful admiration is denied in Islam. Akbar's long reign of almost 50 years (1556-1605 AD), allowed him to experiment with coinage and he took personal interest in designing and minting of his coins.

                                            

The coins depicting Ram and Sita were issued in both gold and silver, with minting ending right after Akbar's death in 1605 AD. The inscription shows Lord Ram, carrying his bow and arrows, and Sita, and it reads ''Ram Siya''. The inscription on the other side is a clue about its history, ''Amardad Ilahi 50'', meaning the 50th year of reign of Akbar,

                                            

Ram-Siya silver coin depicts Lord Ram holding a bow and arrow while Sita is holding a lotus on display at Nidhi Gallery, Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. 

Rupee, weight 5.39 gm, Agra mint, Dated Ilahi year 50 (AH 1013/4, AD 1604/5), ''Ilahi 50 Amardad'' in Persian in two lines surrounded by floral vine all within linear and pelleted border/ Lord Rama crowned and in Royal dress, standing right, holding arrow in right hand and bow in left, quiver over shoulder, behind Sita holding a lotus in each hand, ''Rama Siya'' in Devanagari across upper field.

Sources in the Archeological Survey of India state that these coins weren't issued in large numbers, and the stamping of these coins was probably influenced by the nearness of Raja Todarmal as the Royal Treasurer. 

A three day numismatic meet (103rd Annual Conference of Numismatic Society of India (NSI)) was held at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, in October 2021, attended by participants from across the country. One of the papers submitted was about these coins. The NSI chairman moderated the paper presentations, lectures and discussions.

Just three such coins remain today, one gold and two silver. Walker's Fine Art & Estate Auctioneers in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, last offered the only known gold coin in an auction in 2019 and was sold for CAD 491,400 plus 20 % buyer's premium on 11/12/2019. Image Source: walkersauctions.com

                                           

Gold half Mohur featuring Ram and Sita, Ilahi year 50 (March 21st - April 20th 1605 AD), NGC Certification, weight 6.2 gm, Reference: Krause, Standard Catalogue of World Coins, 1601-1700, 7th edition, catalogue number KM# 104,1 page 1093.

                                                                                   

                            NCG Certification
 

 

Ram-Siya Coins

Orchha Princely State (1531-1950) and Coins

 

Orchha State (also known as Urchha, Ondchha and Tikamgarh), was a kingdom situated in the Bundelkhand region and later a princely state in British India. The state was ruled by the Bundela clan of Rajputs. It was located within what is now the state of Madhya Pradesh.

                                             

Orchha, Vikramajit Mahendra , AH 1273.

Orchha State was founded in 1531 by Rudra Pratap Singh, who became its first king. He had a fortress at Garh Kundar and took advantage of the politically unstable environment of the time to make territorial gains. He moved to Orchha on the banks of the river Betwa and established it as his new capital. He died the same year.

 Flag

                                               

Coat of Arms

                                           

                                            

    Central India Agency Map

Rudra Pratap Singh was succeeded by his son, Bharatichand, who died without leaving a heir in 1554 and was in turn succeeded by his younger brother, Madhukar Shah. Both Madhuri and Madhukar had to deal with attacks, organised under the Afghan Islam Shah Suri (1545-53) and the Mughal emperor Akbar (1556-1605). The situation became so precarious in the 1570s that Madhukar agreed to Orchha becoming a tributary state.

                                            

The capture of Orchha by invading Mughal forces

During the rule of Jahangir, his vassal, Vir Singh Deo, was ruler of Orchha area. His reign ended around 1626, and it was during this period that Orchha reached its zenith in both political power and architectural splendour. Jahangir Mahal(1605) and the  Sawan Bhadon Mahal are examples.

                                           

    Vir Singh Deo, 1605-1627

                                                 

Jahangir Mahal, Orchha Palace

                                            

Sawan Bhadon Pillars at Orchha, Tikamgarh

 

In the early 17th century, Raja Jhujhar Singh rebelled against the Mughals. Shah Jahan placed the raja's brother on the throne in 1641. Orchha was the only Bundela state not entirely subjugated by the Marathas in the 18th century.

                                           

Orchha Fort Complex, built by Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501

In 1783, Tikamgarh became the capital of Orchha state. Hamir Singh, who ruled from 1848 to 1874, was elevated to the style of Maharaja in 1865. During his reign, the forces of Datia and Orchha invaded Jhansi intending to divide the Jhansi territory between them. They were, however, defeated by Rani Lakshmibai and her allies in August 1857. Maharaja Pratap Singh born 1854, died 1930, who succeeded the throne in 1874, devoted himself to the development of his state. 

                                           

     Maharaja Pratap Singh, 1900

By 1908, it formed a part of the Bundelkhand Agency and had an area of 2,080 square miles (5,400 square km) and a population of 321,634 as per the 1901 Census. It was the oldest and highest in rank of all the Bundela states, with a 15-gun salute, and its maharajas bore the hereditary title ''First of the Prince of Bundelkhand''.                                           

Vir Singh, Pratap Singh's successor, merged his state with India on 01 January 1950. The district became part of Vindhya Pradesh state, which was merged into the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956 

Coins of Orchha  State

                                               

One Paisa, Shah Alam II, Vikramajit Mahendra, 1797-1824, copper, weight 7.1 gm, Obverse: Inscription ''Shah Alam II''

                                               

One Rupee, Vikramajit Mahendra, 1768-1792, silver, weight 10.8 gm, RY 26

                                               

One Rupee, Vikramajit Mahendra, 1792-1815, silver, weight 11.6 gm, RY 41  

                                               

One Rupee, Vikramajit Mahendra, 1804-1815, silver, weight 11.6 gm, RY 41

                                                

     

 
One Rupee, Vikramajit Mahendra, Shah Alam II, AH 1273, silver, weight 10.8 gm, RY 39

Orchha State

Coins of Orchha State